The Present Future

I am currently reading The Present Future by Reggie McNeal. The book came recommended by Craig Casey and borrowed from Anthony & Amber Sherrell. Wow! What a book! It is very challenging and encouraging. May God give me the Grace I need to really live like a Christian instead of just a Church member.

The first chapter was about Churchianity vs. Christianity... "That's the church's mission: to join God in his redemptive efforts to save the world. People all around us are in darkness. They are going to die unless someone finds a way to save them. Trouble is, the church is sleeping on the job. Too many of us have forgotten why we showed up for work. Even worse, many of us never have known." [pg. 19]

I just finished the second chapter about shifting from Church growth to Kingdom growth. "Bottom line: we've got to take the gospel to the streets. This is the only appropriate missional response to the collapse of the church culture... I am speaking of an intentional 24/7 church presence in the community, not tied to church real estate: office buildings, malls, school campuses, sports complexes, storefronts, homes, apartment buildings, and community centers... We need to go where people are already hanging out and be prepared to have conversations with them about the great love of our lives. They are not coming to us. We've got to go to them." [pg. 42]

I need to truly be and act live a servant. And when people ask why my answer shouldn't be: "oh, I just want to help." My answer should be: "I am a disciple of Jesus. I am serving him by serving you, because that's what he came to do." [pg. 38]